Elyria to move forward with consulting contract over Community Development Corporation

ELYRIA — City Council plans to go ahead with a $36,000 consulting contract for the Community Development Corporation despite concerns about the effectiveness of the consultant's work. The city hired Joel Ratner Community Partnership LLC for six months using a grant from the Nord Family Foundation. Ratner acted as a consultant for the development of the CDC. Now, city administration is looking to extend that contract for another six months, this time spending money from the general fund. It went before the Finance and Community Development committees Monday. Assistant Safety Service Director Dawn Calvert said Ratner helped form a steering committee, several subcommittees and Third Thursdays as a result of the CDC — formally named the Elyria Community Partnership. But she said there's still a lot of work to be done, including filing for 501(c)(3) status and establishing a board of directors. Councilman Kenny Oswald, D-4th Ward, questioned why the paperwork for a 501(c)(3) hadn't already been filed. He said he doesn't see anything set up for the CDC, adding that it's been six months and someone should be making sure work is getting done. Mayor Frank Whitfield said he could have just filed the paperwork, but he wanted the community to be active and engaged through the process. While the CDC worked on its internal pieces, Whitfield said he wanted it to be active on events. For the Third Thursdays in downtown Elyria, Invest Elyria acted as a fiscal body since the CDC isn't entirely set up. Whitfield said setting up a CDC is a process that takes time, as it is for any other similar organization. Elyria's CDC is being set up as a community-based organization that focuses on downtown redevelopment, events and other projects. The city also has a Community Improvement Corporation that operates as more of a land bank. Several city officials sit on the board, but Law Director Amanda Deery said it's an independent entity. Deery said she and Whitfield were in a meeting where they expressed concerns about why some pieces haven't gotten started yet for the CDC despite employing Ratner. Deery said it's a fair question for Oswald to ask. Whitfield said the city will use the firm McDonald Hopkins for some of the paperwork, but that he's more concerned with starting a strong organization. Ratner's purpose is to bring expertise, Whitfield said. He facilitates meetings and conversations. Ratner was the CEO of Cleveland Neighborhood Progress for about 10 years until June 2020, when he stepped down. Whitfield said he brings an expert level to the conversation that the CDC has needed. He said he does keep Ratner accountable, and he has asked CDC members whether Ratner has been helpful. Whitfield said the members said they were glad they had Ratner. Council President Vic Stewart, D-at large, said he had his reservations about spending the $36,000 on the contract. He said it's hard when the aim is to redevelop the city, but also be cautious and hold people accountable. Stewart said since the city is in the middle of the process of the CDC, he's willing to give it another six months, but that there needs to be more accountability. Councilwoman Donna Mitchell, D-6th Ward, also expressed reservations about the contract. She said it would be helpful to hear updates from Ratner and what he's working on. Whitfield said he plans on having Ratner come before City Council at some point, but Oswald said he still felt like the paperwork should have been set up earlier. He was the lone no vote on the two committees. The issue will move to full City Council at its next meeting at 7 p.m. Aug. 2. Contact Laina Yost at (440) 329-7121 or lyost@chroniclet.com.